'27 Dresses' is the ultimate chick flick

Fresh off last summer's surprise hit "Knocked Up," Katherine Heigl tries this time around to go for the more innocent approach (but still sexy, as in the girl-next-door kind of sexy). When you have someone like Heigl playing a woman (not-so-plain Jane Nichols) who has trouble getting hitched, you have to wonder why she would be in this category.

There are many moments where "27 Dresses" sounds very familiar. There seem to be a lot of the old "always a bridesmaid, never a bride" vehicles out there, but at least we know how many times here: 27. This represents the number of dresses that Jane has prepared and also keeps. Who saves that many bridesmaids dresses, anyway? When you consider that her small New York apartment is already tight in the space area, I would think one would want to rid a closet of never-to-be-worn-again reminders of unfulfilled memories that you're not happy with.

So, will Jane finally find happiness, or will she appear in the requisite sequel, "Bridesmaid 28: Hello, Convent," that premieres next year? Well ...

No one can fault me for calling this the ultimate chick flick, either. The script is from Aline Brosh McKenn (the same woman who brought us "The Devil Wears Prada"). With set decorations by Chryss Hionis, costumes designed by Catherine Marie Thomas, editing by Priscilla Nedd Friendly and casting by Cathy Sandrich Gelfond and Amanda Mackey, "27 Dresses" boasts the kind of female muscle where no glass ceiling was left unbroken. Directed by former choreographer Anne Fletcher ("Step Up") with assistant director Ellen H. Schwartz, I'm surprised that Oprah hasn't had the entire cast and crew on her show.

As if things weren't tough enough for Jane, she has to contend with her younger, more worldly egocentric sister, Tess (played by Malin Akerman), who makes a point of getting, shall we say, very friendly with her older sister's boss, George (Edward Burns). Won't say what happens next, but it does put their relationship to the test. Forget that Jane has carried a torch for him all this time; you have to realize at some point that being the "nice girl" to everybody out there just means you will indeed finish last. Not that Jane doesn't have any admirers, no, but even a good girl can get cynical if pushed too far.

The cast includes pretty much what you would expect, including the girlfriend who offers up sarcastic advice (Judy Greer) and the guy (James Marsden) who is the completely opposite of the leading lady but good for a few drinks and singing classic rock with on a table, allowing her to be herself. Hmmmmmm.

What you have here is a pleasant date flick with not much substance to it. Think of this movie as empty calories with good cholesterol. Nobody gets hurt, and therefore there's no surgeon general's warning for watching this. Think of it like watching a one-hour sitcom where everything gets wrapped up in the last seven minutes. "27 Dresses" is a nice way of spending time with Heigl until the writers strike ends and we get to see her in new episodes of "Grey's Anatomy."

- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio. You can see his film reviews on RSN. For past reviews, blogs, and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.

Keepin' it reel: <b>Now Playing:</b> "27 Dresses" <b>Starring:</b> Brian Kerwin, Charli Barcena, Peyton Roi List, Jane Pfitsch, Alexa Gerasimovich, Katherine Heigl, Jennifer Lim, Krysten Ritter, Brigitte Bourdeau, Judy Greer, Danielle Skraastad, Anne Fletcher, Marilyn L. Costello, James Marsden, Michael Ziegfeld, Yetta Gottesman, Erin Fogel, Laksh Singh, Maulik Pancholy, Melora Hardin, Bryan Radtke and Edward Burns <b>Directed by:</b> Anne Fletcher <b>Rated:</b> PG-13 for language, some innuendo and sexuality <b>Running Time:</b> 105 minutes <b>Howie gives it:</b> 3 out of 5 bagels